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[Commission]

The Delegates of the United States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island
and Providence Plantations, Connecticutt, New York, New Jersey, Pensylvania, Delaware,
Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, to all who shall see
these presents, send Greeting.

Wheras a Trade upon equal terms, between the Subjects of his most Christian Majesty,
the King of France, and the People of these States, will be beneficial to both Nations,
Know Ye, therefore, that We confiding in the Prudence and Integrity of Benjamin Franklin,
one of the Delegates in Congress from the State of Pensylvania, Arthur Lee Esquire
of Virginia, and John Adams, one of the Delegates, in Congress, have appointed and
deputed, and by these presents do appoint and depute, them the said Benjamin Franklin,
Arthur Lee and John Adams, our Commissioners, giving and granting to them, the said
Benjamin Franklin, Arthur Lee and John Adams, or to any two of them, and in case of
the death, absence or disability of any two, to any one of them, Full Power to communicate,
treat, agree, and conclude, with his Most Christian Majesty, the King of France, or
with such person or Persons, as shall by him be for that purpose authorised, of and
upon a true and sincere friendship, and a firm, inviolable and universal Peace, for
the defence, protection and Safety of the Navigation and mutual commerce of the Subjects
of his Most Christian Majesty, and the People of the United States, and also to enter
into and agree upon a Treaty with his Most Christian Majesty, or such Person or Persons
as shall be by him authorised for such purpose, for Assistance in carrying on the
present War between Great Britain and these United States, and to do all other Things
which may conduce to those desirable Ends, and promising in good faith to ratify whatsoever
our said Commissioners shall transact in the Premisses.

Done in Congress at York Town, this twenty seventh day of Novem• { 58 } ber, in the Year of our Lord, one thousand, seven hundred and seventy seven.

In Testimony whereof, the President, by Order of the said Congress, hath hereunto
subscribed his Name and affixed his Seal.